2016 ends and 2017 begins

It seems a traditional thing to do, to reflect on the year that has just ended and then consider what you will do for the year ahead. To be honest, I’m not sure I can be bothered with it anymore. I always have these expectations and as the year finishes I find I am always very disappointed that things I was passionate about haven’t worked out. For that reason I don’t want to look back really.

I have decided for 2017 that the best thing I can do is not have any resolutions, or expectations. I won’t plan anything and just hope that things will be more successful than last year.

One thing that has been great for me has been Instagram. I have found a great amount of success through it. I thought as I wish you all a happy new year, and all the best for the year ahead, that I could leave you with an image that everyone does there. It is my best nine images from 2016.

I find that to be the trouble with expectations in general. Anyway, wishing you a very Happy New Year Leanne! Thanks for stopping by my digital home despite your busy schedule. I am looking forward to being inspired by your work in 2017!

Same, there is something about expectations, it is the same with my art, if I have to higher expectations then I’m always disappointed, I like to go with the flow. You’re welcome, thank you for the same and all the best for the year ahead.

happy new year Leanne! your success on IG is awesome, great stats!
it is very discouraging to expend every drop of energy for months and years even and not see the rousing success envisioned…. I relate to that earlier comment, on ‘dropping anchor and waiting.’ 🙂
I believe 2017 will be a much gentler year. fingers crossed. cheers, Debi

Hi, Leanne. I don’t believe in New Years resolutions, either, but strive to look to the future with hope. All the best in 2017 to you and your loved ones. I hope the new year surprises and delights you. 🙂

Happy New Year, Leanne! Congrats on your success with IG. I have loved following along over the last year, and your shots are uniquely you 🙂 I too can’t be bothered making new year’s resolutions anymore. What will be, will be. The least we can is keep working and hope that it works out, and most importantly enjoy it and have fun along the way. Hope things are moving along okay at home too. It seems that we have had a lot of rain recently. Even New Year’s Day today was overcast. I was down by the Yarra River earlier and got a few shots, though 😀

thank you Mabel, all the best to you for the year ahead as well. That is so nice to hear, and I hope that continues with the shots, looking forward to experimenting some more. I have to admit it is almost like setting yourself up for disappointment straight away.You have said it perfectly. Oh yeah, that thunderstorm did a bit of damage to our house, could have been worse, but bad enough. All the best to you Mabel, I hope you get out a lot to take photos. 😀

Hi Leanne, We are so looking forward to our trip tomorrow. I bought a backpack today to be easier on my back. We got the card charged. The other one expired. I took a looooooong nap this afternoon, so Carol went shopping while I slept. I wanted to rest up for tomorrow. I hope your 2017 turns out to be a mega success. Have a great and restful night. See you tomorrow! It should be a lovely trip. 🙂

That’s great to hear Marsha, hopefully it will be a great day. That’s great, yeah, oh on, really, I didn’t realize it had, I had another spare card as well. sorry. We will be sitting in the car a bit tomorrow. I will, early night maybe. See you tomorrow.

I wish you the best of everything in the year to come. I know it’s a cliche, but we do learn a great deal from things that don’t work out. One of the things we learn is what you’ve learned … that we need to try to plan less, but sail better with the winds that blow.

Learning to sail (really sail, in a sailboat) was enlightening for me. I learned you can only go where the wind and tide allow. If both wind and tide are against you, the best you can do is drop an anchor and wait. And the best part of the lesson was that I discovered a lot of pleasure in going with the flow.